Happy New Year!

With the ushering in of a new year brings all kinds of emotions both happy, sad, excitement, gratefulness, disappointment and anticipation just to name a few. For me personally the beginning of a new year is a time of reflection, a time to look back at the last year and evaluate how well I did or didn’t do with the goals that I set before myself in the past 12 months. More than anything, it’s a time to step back and take a close hard look at my relationship with the Lord to see if I have grown closer in my personal walk with Him.

2008 has been an outstanding year for me personally in so many ways and as I reflect over the last 12 months I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have just made it to another year. My walk with the Lord has grown tremendously as I learn to trust him more than the year before. I have just celebrated anniversaries in both Sizta 2 Sizta and Ary’s Naturals, I have my family and my health. Praise God!

To all of my Siztas that have crossed my path over the last year or that has in some way touched me or that I may have touched in some way through e-mail, phone, my products or website, God Bless you and thank you for helping to shape Sizta 2 Sizta and or Ary’s Naturals.

I wish you all a prosperous New Year and pray that the Lord keep you until the day of his coming.

Stacey

Wow….I know some of you have been wondering what the heck is going on with all of my great rantings and wonderful articles of sorts coming to an abrupt halt. I even received an e-mail from one of my customers checking to make sure I was ok, which made me feel pretty good.

Sooooo much has happened since my last post in late October, some exciting and some not so exciting. The most exciting thing which has been keeping me extremely busy is the Debut of the new site just for Ary’s Naturals Bath and Body.

I’ve had a major issue with my daughter’s daycare and ended up pulling her out and she has been home with me driving me up the wall. I’m happy to report that the Lord worked it out for the best because this lead me to discover that the daycare that my son (15) attended when he was a toddler was still around with some of the very same administrators from 12 years ago. My husband and I have so many fond memories of Oak Grove Daycare so it was a no brainer after we went to check it out again for our daughter.

Then, my daughter and myself have been bouncing the same cold back and forth for about three weeks which has left me completely drained. Well, I’m sure it’s a combo of her and the cold.

Lastly, I have been completely swamped with orders for both Sizta 2 Sizta and Ary’s Naturals. I’m working hard here ladies!

Have not forgotten my follow up article on “Oh my thinning hair” and I should have it by years end. Also, I’m working on “Passing down the healthy hair care torch” Leaving a legacy for our daughters.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Stacey

It’s weird how my mind works, or at least I think so. It seems that my mind is always going a mile a minute thinking about different things to create and blend together to get the result I’m trying to create. I think that even as a child, way before S2S was ever a thought, I was always thinking of different inventions or how to improve on things that were already created. Little did I know that the desire to create would be fulfilled in my hair care and bath and body line. I love creating and blending , it fulfills my creative side that I always knew was there,  although it took a little time to discover. I actually love it so much that I can’t image ever giving that part over to a large corporation for the sake of mass production. Although, I know the time will come sooner than later when I will eventually have to consider how I’m going to fill the greater demand for products. Quality is of the utmost importance to me to the point I think that I would hire my own staff and teach them exactly how my products are to be formulated.

My two most recent products, Peppermint Phoo and Shea What? Peppermint and Shea Deep Condish to hit the scene are off and running. More importantly I starting to get some really good feedback (which I love), this always helps to know how my customers feel about my products because when product goes into development it was created to my liking. Then I give it to relatives and friends to test before hitting the mass market.

Although, I said to myself that I would probably close out the S2S product line until sometime next year, my mind has been swirling with two new products and I am eager to get going and have already put the components together in my mind (that’s were it all starts).  So, now I’m ready to start the blending and testing phase. The first product that I am working on is going to be called “Gurl Curl” Defining the Curl within; or something like that. This product will be for those of you like my daughter Aryanna has a little curl pattern to their hair, but the hair is extremely dry and once the product is absorbed in to the hair you are left with a bunch of dry frizz. Lastly, I will focus on a product that will specifically deal with thinning, and regrowth in areas that customers have experience extreme trauma to the scalp from braiding and weaving that has causes a lot of stress in the immediate area. It will has address hereditary thinning giving aide to those who experience thinning do chemicals released in the hair follicles.

Stay tuned for these two new exciting additions to the S2S product line that will hit the store soon, I’m am shooting for early 2009.

Have you ever wanted to do something….to make a difference in this great big world, but thought to yourself that I’m just one person with limited resources???? I too have had these thoughts of wanting to be used by God and wanting to make a difference for God’s Kingdom in some way shape or form. Like many of you, I would find myself saying “what do I have, or what can I do with my limited resources?” It’s not until recently through starting my business and receiving such positive feedback did I realize that God can and does use small things to make a very crucial impact on peoples lives. I encourage you to join me along with Siztas 4 Christ & Ary’s Naturals to make a difference it this world for God’s Kingdom by helping dying fathers, mothers and children in Mozambique Africa.

Finally, here’s a few sad facts about HIV in Mozambique:

• As we speak every 1out of 5 children born in Mozambique born with AIDS.

• the first case of AIDS in Mozambique was recorded in 1986, but due to the civil war (1975-1994) there was limited national response to the disease and its rapid spread

• at the end of 2007 there were 1.5 million people living with HIV in Mozambique (including 100,000 children). That works out to at least 1/6th of the population with HIV, and probably more like 1/4th in urban areas.

• the average life expectancy in Mozambique is 39 - poverty, hard living, and HIV are major factors.

• In Mozambique (as in much of Sub-Saharan Africa) young women ages 15-24 are the most affected by HIV

• at the end of 2007, there were 90,000 people on antiretroviral treatment, which equals 24% coverage (the number of sites that provide treatment has increased from 32 in 2005 to 211 in 2007)

Biggest challenges = integration of HIV services with other essential services, especially tuberculosis and reproductive health, and strengthening home-based care and education programs on antiretroviral treatment to ensure adherence.

So what can you do to help??? The most single important thing that you can do is pray! The next thing that you can do is help support the Medical mission in Mozambique by purchasing Ary’s Naturals Bath & Body products. Ary’s Naturals will donate $1.00 for each product purchased and $2.00 per item purchased for orders totaling $75.00 or more. Everyone needs bath & body products so if you like the products tell your friends and family and spread the word. Now, how easy is that????

For more information about the Medical Mission in Mozambique, see my early post “Are you a Sizta 4 Christ?”

Help for thinning, balding hair is probably the most requested advice I get from the hundreds of e-mails I receive each week. This problem can be broken down into different categories such as thinning due to medications, hereditary thinning and pressure put on the hair and hair line which will we call self inflicted thinning, therefore I will try to break down each category to the best of my ability.

The first category we look at this month is self inflicted thinning and balding that often comes with the wearing of braids and weaves that are way to tight or not properly taken care of do to a lack of knowledge. Ponytails, hair falls or weaves that are too tight and apply extreme pressure on the hairline. What happens in many cases is that one will get their hair braided into small zillion individual braids that are so tight they pull and tug on the hair line. I will see ladies with inch of hair braided from the baby hair to side burns and if you look closely you will notice a pulling look around the forehead which is one indication that the hair is braid way too tightly. Also ahead ache latter that day or the following morning is and indication of braids that are way too tight. In addition, when braiding the hair line (front and back) you are dealing with what is called or known as baby hair. This hair around the hair line is almost always finer softer hair that is not as thick in diameter or as strong as the other hair throughout our head of hair. Back in the day when I was an avid wearer of the small individual braids (zillions as we called them), I would wake up on many occasions with a sore head and a raging headache out of this world, but I didn’t think too much of it back then and just chalked it up to battle scars.

I remember at some point and time I would have my hair braided and they would braid an extremely large amount of hair to and extremely small amount of hair around the hair line that would always end up either sliding off or breaking my hair off leaving me breakage around the hairline. If this pattern is continued over and over it ultimately leads to the thinning and eventually balding. If you have read my hair guide you know that I am not a fan of small individual braids and much prefer cornrows that are much healthier and gentler to our hair.

Ok, so what do you do if you have been a victim of self inflicted thinning and balding?? Well, the worst thing you can do is continue to put your hair into the same stressful styles that landed you into this situation in the first place. I know that sounds like common sense but you know how we are about our hair, and you will find women who after suffering hair loss with continue to put the weaves and braids back into their hair because they either just don’t know what else to do or they are trying to cover up the problem not realizing they are doing more harm than good.

The next thing you need to do is determine whether or not permanent damage has been caused to the follicles which will happen after repeated trauma to the follicle which can result in balding and hair will not be able to be regrown in those areas. Or, if the follicles are just laying dormant and need a little stimulation and encouragement to begin growing again. To determine the extent of damage you will have to be down right aggressive and more concerned with the health of your hair rather than the look of your hair (so if you need to grab a wig, go out and purchase one). I would then begin taking a high dosage or Biotin and MSM in addition to getting on a good hair vitamin. I don’t believe that it’s necessary to use vitamins to grow or maintain long healthy hair, and although I currently use my own vitamin now, I didn’t use any vitamins during the entire first year of growing my hair out. However, in this situation, it is imperitive to make sure that your follicles are getting the necessary nutrients it needs. Biotin which is a “B” vitamin helps to stimulate the hair follicles by bringing much needed oxygen to your scalp thus stimulating the hair follicles. MSM which is organic sulfur is another must have that will aid in boosting your hair growth. To read more about Biotin and MSM please visit my hair glossary.

Lastly, you need to do daily scalp massages in the areas that are suffering with the thinning and balding with a essential oil that is known for stimulating the hair follicles, such as Rosemary, Peppermint, Basil oil, Thyme oil, Cedarwood oil & Carrot Seed oil (the description for all these oils can be found in the hair glossary). Then follow up with your weekly regimen to make sure that you are keeping your scalp clean and your hair deep conditioned and properly moisturized.

Hopefully after a few months of diligently following this routine you should notice some peach fuzz growing in these areas which is a great sign and means that the follicles were laying dormant and should be able to recover over time. If the opposite is true and your don’t notice any change then it can be safe to assume that the hair follicles could possible be damaged beyond repair. I would suggest that you continue the routine a few months longer and consult a qualified dermatologist who may be able to do some further testing.

Next month I will cover “Oh my thinning hair” hereditary thinning and go into greater detail about some natural remedies that can be applied to help in this area.

Until next month…..

Being in the business of healthy hair I tend to notice things that some may or may not notice or let bother them in the hair arena. I have several hair pet-peeves that drive me absolutely crazy like nails on a chalk board sending chills through your spine.

My first number 1 hair pet-peeve is seeing Caucasian women with bi-racial (mixed with black) children and they don’t take the time to educate themselves on how to care for their hair. A little secret, all bi-racial children aren’t born with naturally curly hair. And a lot who do have a curly texture are born with varying degrees of curls and kinky hair that needs to be handled like black hair. Their hair always seems to look like a hot mess and so dry and brittle. Sometimes I just want to walk over and hand them a business card and tell them to please call me.

I know how they care for their hair is totally different from African American hair and they tend to wash  their hair every day to rid their hair of excess oil, but I just need to say “oil is not the enemy of your bi-racial child’s hair”, “please put some  oil on your baby’s hair!” There, I said it……I feel as though a weight has been lifted off of my chest. No, just kidding but it needed to be said.

I would love to hear what you think……….

Everyone has a hair care regimen. The question you should ask yourself, is your regimen helping  or hurting your hair growth efforts???

I give every new customers who purchases products that choose not to purchase a hair guide a basic hair care regimen. I do this because the best product in the world that you don’t properly know how to use is useless!

Below you will find my basic hair care regimen that I send all of my customers to get them started. Keep in mind that it is very basic and if you really want to re-educate yourself and learn all of the tips I used to achieve my long healthy hair, I suggest that you purchase my hair care guide “Steps 2 Sensational Hair Guide” which can be found on the site under reading materials.

Weekly Regimen –

• Wash once a week with Ultra Lavish Cleansing Phoo
• Apply Deep Penetrating Conditioner and place plastic cap on and sit under a hooded dryer for 20-30 mins.
• Apply Amazing Hair oil and Daily Oil Moisturizer on wet hair and gently comb to distribute evenly
• Twist hair in 4 sections to air-dry or blow-dry on low (air drying is always best).
• Once hair is dry or slightly damp proceed to curl or flat iron using a little moisturizer or oil with each section (just a little).
• Make sure to apply moisturizer at night prior to wrapping hair in your scarf.
• If you notice extreme breakage use the Halt breakage control or use after your relaxer touch. Don’t use the Halt and Deep Penetrating together because they both have protein in them and it may make the hair hard.
• If you notice any dryness after using the Halt make sure to apply a little extra moisturizer or oil to soften. Some will use the moisture packed conditioner to soften and rinse right after 5 - 10 mins.
• No heated appliances are to be used in between washing (too much heat will combat all of the good you are trying to accomplish).

I was so excited when I was approached regarding sponsorship for the Project Next annual event via Sizta 2 Sizta samples for their gift bags. Below is some information and I will post a follow up after the event.

Hi,

Thank you again for your support with our up-coming

“Project Next” event via your Sizta 2 Sizta samples.

Please see below for a one-sheeter on the event.

The Michigan FrontPage

Project Next - Phase II

“FINANCIAL FITNESS”

SEPTEMBER 26, 2008

Networking at 8:30 am / Breakfast 9:00 - 10 am

at the
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

Cost for Breakfast is $25

Guest Speaker
Gail Perry-Mason
First Vice-President of Investments
Oppenheimer and Co, Inc.

Moderator
Reggie Reg
102.7 FM

Key topics for the conference include:

• Taking the first step to wealth building
• Tips for starting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle
• Guide to investing in the Stock Market
• Entrepreneurship, Career Planning, and Workforce Development

For more information please contact Rebecca Bare

I just had to write about an event that took place a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been telling everyone I know, so I thought I it post it here in my blog so that I could share it with the world.

One Saturday morning shortly after my daughter Aryanna had finished her breakfast, she requested a snack. I explained to her that she would be allowed a “healthy snack” (fruit or yogurt), but she could not have the cookies that she was intent on having. Aryanna was well aware that her nanna was coming by that morning and proceeded to tell me “fine, I will just ask my nanna.” So with a stern voice, I said “NO” you will not ask your nanna and you can not have any cookies. I again explained to her what her healthy snack choices were.

Shortly after her grandmother arrived and I was washing dishes when she walked in and immediately gave her attention to Ary. I had totally forgotten the conversation over the cookies just that fast when I turned around to see Aryanna and her nanna with the snack door open and Ary pointing up to where the cookies were placed nice and high on the shelve. I quick got their attention by calling her name is a very stern voice “Ary” I yelled. “What did I tell you???” She in that moment did something that I knew the day would come but not at age 3, she quickly ran behind her nanna and grab a hold to her leg as she peep out from behind. I said “come here” wiggling my finger and motioning to come to me she again peeped her head from behind her grandmother and told me “NO”. I was amazed and I must admit I was a little tickled although I didn’t reveal that the her. Once again, I wiggled my finger and said “get over here, now.” Again, I got a “NO.” Ok, now I’ve had enough and I grab her arm and gave her a nice swat on the behind and told her to “get up stairs to your room right now”

Again, to my utter surprise, she defiantly jumped up and down while screaming “no, no, no, Nanna, Nanna, help me!” That’s when I went for my belt and as I scrambled for my belt I could hear in the background as she spouted out “I have to pee, pee”, my mother in law quickly ushered her into the bathroom while continued to look for my belt. As a last resort, I unbuckled the strap to my purse (as I had done before) and waited for her to finish her bathroom business. Upon her resurfacing I immediately scolded her in a stern voice when she blurted out “I sorry mommy.” For some reason, although still angry at the events that had just taken place mins. earlier, that statement warmed my heart (they just sound so darn cute at that age). Again, I explained to Aryanna why she was being punished and told her when she came back down from her room she had two healthy snack choices. She said “ok mommy.”

This event between my three year old and I made me realize that I was going to have to gear up mentally for the battle that often occurs between a mother and a daughter. Something that I think my own mother has long awaited for me to get what I gave her those many, many years ago!